2 Plead Guilty In Marijuana-Seed Operation

[vta]

URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n468/a03.html

Source: Seattle Times (WA)



2 PLEAD GUILTY IN MARIJUANA-SEED OPERATION

A pair from Vancouver, B.C., pleaded guilty in Seattle's federal court on Friday to involvement in a marijuana-manufacturing operation. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Seattle said Michelle Rainey, 38, and Gregory Keith Williams, 54, voluntarily appeared in Seattle to resolve charges stemming from a 2005 grand jury indictment.

A pair from Vancouver, B.C., pleaded guilty in Seattle's federal court today in a marijuana-manufacturing operation.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Seattle said Michelle Rainey, 38, and Gregory Keith Williams, 54, voluntarily appeared in Seattle to resolve charges stemming from a 2005 grand-jury indictment. The attorney's office said the two were employees of marijuana-seed distributor Marc Emery, who remains in Canada while fighting extradition to the U.S. on similar charges.

Terms of plea agreements for Rainey and Williams include recommended sentences of two years probation. Sentencing is scheduled for July 17.

According to court documents, Rainey worked for Emery, who billed himself as the "prince of pot," from 1998 to 2005, assisting with Emery's mail-order marijuana-seed business, which had many U.S. customers

Court documents said Williams handled phone orders and also sold seeds directly to customers. Authorities said Williams had sold seeds to a Drug Enforcement Administration undercover agent. Authorities said Emery's seed operation took in more than $3 million annually.

Emery is scheduled for an extradition hearing in Canada on June 1.

 

[FreezerBoy]

Give'em hell, Michelle.

 

[Hash Zeppelin]

This is great news if she only gets 2 months probation. newt fucking gingrich wanted to give the whole emery crowd life in prison. He wanted to give emery the death penalty.

 

[Blue Dot]

This is great news if she only gets 2 months probation.

Uh, 2 years, but since this is US fed court does a US sentence carry over to Canada?

Can they just go back to canada and start smoking and growin again as long as they don't break the law in the US for 2 years or do they have to stay clean in canada for 2 years also?

Either way, it's a pretty light sentence and I'm glad MM got this sentance cause he seems like a really cool guy and 2 years probation is absolutely nothing compared to what emery is facin'.

 

[Hash Zeppelin]

ya 2 years I mean. That is better than prison

 

[DoobieDuck]

Michelle and Gregory..good luck you guys..wish you well..DD

 

[10k]

This is great news if she only gets 2 months probation. newt fucking gingrich wanted to give the whole emery crowd life in prison. He wanted to give emery the death penalty.

Where did you come up with that bull crap HZ ?

Maybe you meant to say Nancy f'king Pelosi there HZ, because Newt f'king Gingrich was not even in "f'king" office when Emerys operation was busted.

 

[kmk420kali]

Where did you come up with that bull crap HZ ?

Maybe you meant to say Nancy f'king Pelosi there HZ, because Newt f'king Gingrich was not even in "f'king" office when Emerys operation was busted.

But the Laws he helped pass are-- If you google "Newt Gingrich on Mark Emery", they mention Newt and his draconian Laws--
HZ was right, altho it wasn't personally against them--
Peace--

 

[Frostynugz]

Even though this entire case is BS and the laws never actually happenned on US soil. Clearly they're being made an example of. I'd say 2 yrs probation is better than prison. Wonder if they'll allow poor Michelle to keep tokin while on probation, shes a med patient and needs it for her Crohn's. They shouldn't have even gotten anything IMO. Fucken DEA and the US gov't go the fuck home and stay there.

 

[Darkstarlive]

Let's be civil.

It always helps to know what you're talking about before giving an opinion.
A little research goes a long way.

Peace.

 

[10k]

On July 29, 2005, Canadian police, acting on a request from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, simultaneously raided the BC Marijuana Party Bookstore and Headquarters in Vancouver and arrested Emery for extradition to the United States outside a local storefront in the community of Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia where he was attending a HempFest. Emery and co-defendants Gregory Keith Williams, 50, of Vancouver, BC and Michelle Rainey-Fenkarek, 34, of Vancouver, BC are charged with "'Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana", "Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana Seeds" and "Conspiracy to Engage in Money Laundering". Canadian police have not laid charges.

Emery was freed on a $50,000 bail and prepared to fight extradition in the courts.

OK folks, don't get your undies in a bunch, but the above quote is straight out of wikipedia.

Absolutely Newt Gingrich had very draconian laws in his proposals, however like stated, he wasnt house speaker at the time of Emerys bust in 2005. Dennis Hastert (R) was house speaker until Pelosi in 07

Emerys prosecution began under Bush and continues today under Obama

 

[JJScorpio]

Even though this entire case is BS and the laws never actually happenned on US soil. Clearly they're being made an example of. I'd say 2 yrs probation is better than prison. Wonder if they'll allow poor Michelle to keep tokin while on probation, shes a med patient and needs it for her Crohn's. They shouldn't have even gotten anything IMO. Fucken DEA and the US gov't go the fuck home and stay there.

The US will transfer her probation to where she resides. If she's legally smoking as a med patient now then I see no reason that she won't be able to continue doing so....

 

[easyrasta]

These two ,Michele and Greg, are benefiting from Marc's plea agreement. He agreed to his deal if they are lenient whith them.
best of luck to all involved.
peace
Ez

 

[kmk420kali]

The US will transfer her probation to where she resides. If she's legally smoking as a med patient now then I see no reason that she won't be able to continue doing so....

Really? I figured it would be more like when Mexicans get busted here, then deported...their probation doesn't carry into Mexico, it only allows for a violation of it if they get caught back here--
I know it isn't a deportation case...but I don't think Probation goes International--
I haven't researched yet, I actually didn't think about it before now...so please correct me if I am wrong...or let me know if I am right-- lol

 

[MichelleRainey]

My view...

My view...

No plea's have been made by Marc. I began negotiating myself when my Cancer situation became grave. The Canadian government was unwilling to deal with me here, where as the US wanted resolution. At a time when economic crisis dominates the media it would have been irresponsible of me to expect BC tax payers to waste there funds on a 10 day prosecution that would result in extradition anyway. My decision, my choice. Sentencing July 17th and I pray the judge does have compassion!

xxooMichy

 

[HawaiianPunch]

Yo, Michelle! Got seeds?

 

[10k]

That's not even funny Hawaiian Punch.

Prayers for you Michelle and best wishes for a compassionate judge

 

[FirstTracks]

prayers and postive vibes out for you, greg, and marc, Michelle. Stay strong.

be well

 

[StarGatherer]

Good luck with it all Michelle...as with Marc and MM too.Godspeed.

 

[mdanzig]

I feel for you Michelle. Looks like the Canadian Government is taking a page out of the good ole U.S. of A. Some times Im ashmaed to say Im a US citizen. I hope you kick-ass like always. A prayer to you, and keep up the good fight!